the final countdown

Today is the last day to get your entries in for the “business packaging / holiday packaging contest“!

In the last week I’ve had holiday festivities, sessions, a birthday, and now we have the flu all up in here. But I’m getting to each entry as I can and will be posting the as-yet-unpublished ones starting next week.

If you want to participate this is your last-minute warning to do so! You can find more details about the prizes and how to enter here at the contest page.

(Holiday packaging image above courtesy of Shinn Shots Photography.)

for your Santa list

“Move over, boxy boring camera carrier. There’s a new bag in town. She’s well bred and chic yet knows how to hang. An ideal merger of function and style, this is the Classic Canvas, designed to store and protect your professional photo gear. Worry not about your prized DSLR, your pricey lenses and sensitive power supply stuff. Seven padded compartments offer customizable stashing – plus there’s room for magazines, laptop and vitamin water.”

• Water-resistant cotton canvas with soft leather straps and trim
• Full zipper top for security
• Quick-access outside pocket on each side for phone, keys, ID
  badge and emergency mints
• Generous interior zip pocket for very important accessories
• Large interior compartment for iPad, magazines, file folders
  and things
• Modular Velcro dividers for flexible stashing
• Durable canvas lining
• Small metal feet to help protect the base

Measures: 15” Width x 11” Height x 6” Depth.

button-up

Still catching up here and everywhere else, so I’m posting new “business packaging / holiday packaging contest” entries as I can individually – make sure you scroll to the previous entry each time you visit so you don’t miss anything!

Up next is Christina McCall of Christina McCall Photography…

Since chocolate brown and kraft are already a part of my packaging / branding, I raided my ribbon and button stashes plus Etsy and took advantage of a Hobby Lobby sale to find Christmas-y items that complimented what I already had.

To get this look:
1. Boxes: Kraft — NPD Box Company; chocolate — Paper Source
2. Envelopes: Paper Source
3. Ribbon: Hobby Lobby & Wal Mart
4. Buttons: Buttons Galore & More
5, Rustic Snowflakes: Hobby Lobby
6. Holiday Tags: Pearliebird.etsy.com

Thank you Christina – très magnifique!

If you’d like to enter the contest – the awesome prizes are a $20 gift certificate to Paper Source and a $100 gift certificate to HB Photo Packaging – send in one (or more) photos of your business packaging. It can be your everyday packaging, something special for the holidays, or both!

Happy wrapping! Send photos to Robyn [robyn AT paperieboutique DOT com] thru Tuesday, November 30th.

splash of color

Still catching up here and everywhere else, so I’m posting new “business packaging / holiday packaging contest” entries as I can individually – make sure you scroll to the previous entry each time you visit so you don’t miss anything!

Up next is Julie Oliver of Julie MayRee Photography…

My brand spankin’ new packaging…

‘Achieve this look‘ info now added to the comments:
1. Awesome new custom logo by Jess at Lemondrop Stop Backdrops
2. Boxes from none other than h-bphoto.com
3. Die cut business cards / matching stickers from blackriverimaging.com
4. All the bling, ribbon & goodies from Michael’s Arts and Crafts stores

This is one of those packaging concepts where I wondered ‘why didn’t I think of that myself‘ (especially after all those years with Gasparilla when living in Tampa) – beautiful work Julie!

Before I go, I’d like to introduce you to one of my favorite new (to me) sites. I was sent the link last night and I’ve been combing through it page-by-page and cheating the clock ever since!

Drop by Nice Package when you can. I will not be responsible for any lost productivity, however – you have been warned!




If you’d like to enter the packaging contest we’ve got going on, the awesome prizes are a $20 gift certificate to Paper Source and a $100 gift certificate to HB Photo Packaging – send in one (or more) photos of your business packaging. It can be your everyday packaging, something special for the holidays, or both!

Happy wrapping! Send photos to Robyn [robyn AT paperieboutique DOT com] thru Tuesday, November 30th.

Check back often – more to follow!
-Robyn

arts and kraft

Still catching up here and everywhere else, so I’m posting new “business packaging / holiday packaging contest” entries as I can individually – make sure you scroll to the previous entry each time you visit so you don’t miss anything!

Up next is Jessica Lewis of KRAFTandJUTE.com…

A few pictures of our packaging.. and some holiday gift bags! All the products and photos are on our website KRAFTandJUTE.com.

Love everything about this Jessica – thank you for sharing it!

If you’d like to enter the contest – the awesome prizes are a $20 gift certificate to Paper Source and a $100 gift certificate to HB Photo Packaging – send in one (or more) photos of your business packaging. It can be your everyday packaging, something special for the holidays, or both!

Happy wrapping! Send photos to Robyn [robyn AT paperieboutique DOT com] thru Tuesday, November 30th.

can I quote you on that?

I’ve worked all week and have two weekend sessions, so I’m just going to start posting new “business packaging / holiday packaging contest” entries as I can individually – make sure you scroll down to the previous entry to check so you don’t miss anything!

Up next is Rachael de Azevedo of Rachael May Photography…

My inspiration came from two sources, my desire to keep it simple and natural and my desire to connect with my clients on a deeper level. Not through beauty only…but with words.

I have decided to include quotes on my packaging that will apply to the session…family, babies, couples, birth, etc. Something a little extra to touch their hearts.

Here is how to get the look:
1. white boxes from H-B Photo Packaging
2. blue wrapping paper from Hobby Lobby (cut using scrapbooking scissors)
3. ribbon from Jo-Ann’s
4. quotes from scrapbooking store or Michael’s
5. paper flowers from Michael’s

I’m a quote-a-holic, Rachael – this is just lovely!

If you’d like to enter the contest – the awesome prizes are a $20 gift certificate to Paper Source and a $100 gift certificate to HB Photo Packaging – send in one (or more) photos of your business packaging. It can be your everyday packaging, something special for the holidays, or both!

Happy wrapping! Send photos to Robyn [robyn AT paperieboutique DOT com] thru Tuesday, November 30th.

sew-easy!

I’ve worked all week and have two more sessions today and tomorrow, so I’m just going to start posting new “business packaging / holiday packaging contest” entries as I can individually – make sure you scroll down to the previous entry to check so you don’t miss anything!

Up next is Heather Beadles of Heather Beadles Photography & Design…

I’ve struggled with knowing how to package large canvases so that (1) the client could easily get them home, (2) they would be cute and not in the shipping box, (3) not cost an arm and a leg, and (4) protect the canvases. So…I decided to get out my sewing machine and play. Besides, I LOVE burlap and floral fabrics!

This past weekend I made very rough-sewn bags out of cheap burlap and twill lining fabrics, along with a floral that matches my logo colors. I am NOT a great seamstress…I even sewed the seams on the outside…burlap on the outside, the twill on the inside! My logo is printed onto printable fabric 8.5×11 fabric sheets and sewn on. I got everything at Hobby Lobby. I’m not totally happy with the ribbons….but didn’t have time to order a darker red grosgrain ribbon to match. The fabric “envelopes” were a cinch and perfect for DVD cases, prints (all of which are in plastic from Clear Bags), and albums.

Honestly, the bags took me too much time, but I wrote down my dimensions and next time it will go a lot quicker. (A rotary cutter / mat is a must!). I’m able to do this because I limit my sessions to only 2-3 per month right now. When I start getting busier (i.e., when the kids are in school), I’ll probably hire someone to mass-produce these. My prices are high enough that I feel like if I’m selling an album or canvas for $1000+, the least I can do is provide a cute bag. My clients have LOVED them and are using them for other things…all while carrying my logo around town! My marketing/branding hopefully communicates very custom photography, so these really fit because they are custom made.

In the photograph, the largest bag is for a 20×30 gallery wrapped canvas. The other two medium-sized bags are for a 16×16 and 16×20 canvas. I left the canvases in the plastic and the sheet of foam that they were shipped in for even more protection. I love how they turned out!

Wow Heather – I love this idea! They look fantastic!

If you’d like to enter the contest – the awesome prizes are a $20 gift certificate to Paper Source and a $100 gift certificate to HB Photo Packaging – send in one (or more) photos of your business packaging. It can be your everyday packaging, something special for the holidays, or both!

Happy wrapping! Send photos to Robyn [robyn AT paperieboutique DOT com] thru Tuesday, November 30th.

close your eyes and make a wish!

I’ve worked all week and have two more sessions today and tomorrow, so I’m just going to start posting new “business packaging / holiday packaging contest” entries as I can individually – make sure you scroll down to the previous entry to check so you don’t miss anything!

Up next is Brook Rieman of Brook Rieman Photography…

I use a rubber stamp and silver embossing powder to create a raised logo on my boxes. Same treatment on the note card. I have found that this is an extremely economical way to go. Boxes are from HB Photo Packaging and wrapping paper is from Target. My website is brookrieman.com.

Just stunning Brook – love the silver embossing powder idea!

If you’d like to enter the contest – the awesome prizes are a $20 gift certificate to Paper Source and a $100 gift certificate to HB Photo Packaging – send in one (or more) photos of your business packaging. It can be your everyday packaging, something special for the holidays, or both!

Happy wrapping! Send photos to Robyn [robyn AT paperieboutique DOT com] thru Tuesday, November 30th.

joy to the blog

I’ve worked all week and have two more sessions today and tomorrow, so I’m just going to start posting new “business packaging / holiday packaging contest” entries as I can individually – make sure you scroll down to the previous entry to check so you don’t miss anything!

Up next is Cori Derksen of Derksen Photography…

I’m a photographer in Central California – Fresno to be exact. I specialize in newborn photography and also photograph families and children. My website is derksenphotography.com and my blog is derksenphotographyblog.com. These are some pictures of my everyday packaging for my clients. I have the most wonderful clients. I love handing them product…pictures of people they love…beautifully packaged. I lean toward simple and clean with a pop of color.

Vendors used to achieve this look:
• graphic design: danagrogger.com
• kraft boxes: HB Photo Packaging
• kraft bags: bagsandbows.com
• tissue paper: bagsandbows.com
• clear photo bags: clearbags.com
• 4×6 proof books: whcc.com
• cd packaging: Envelopments through a local shop
• cds: LightScribe CDs – I print them myself
• round stickers: Zazzle
• business cards: Overnight Prints
• customized post it notes: VistaPrint
• custom rubber stamps: seller terbearco on Etsy
• business card bags: Michael’s
• ornament thank you cards: Miller’s
• teal ribbon: • kraft bags: bagsandbows.com
• other random fun ribbon: local fabric stores

Thanks so much Cori! Just beautiful!

If you’d like to enter the contest – the awesome prizes are a $20 gift certificate to Paper Source and a $100 gift certificate to HB Photo Packaging – send in one (or more) photos of your business packaging. It can be your everyday packaging, something special for the holidays, or both!

Happy wrapping! Send photos to Robyn [robyn AT paperieboutique DOT com] thru Tuesday, November 30th.

but you can do the job
     when you’re in town

I’ve been shooting non-stop for the last week and simply haven’t had time to update the site. And I need my assistant’s time elsewhere as well. The juggle all photographers face at the holidays, I suppose!

So until I catch a break, here’s a quick peek of some of the packaging submitted for the best business packaging / holiday packaging contest (running now through November 30th)…with more to follow soon, I swear!

I tossed in a couple of my holiday setups from last week / weekend, too. The small Santa bag is from Pottery Barn Kids. (You can see the large size in action here.) The rounded corner image collage is from The Album Cafe.

If you’d like to enter the contest – the awesome prizes are a $20 gift certificate to Paper Source and a $100 gift certificate to HB Photo Packaging – send in one (or more) photos of your business packaging. It can be your everyday packaging, something special for the holidays, or both!

Happy wrapping! Send photos to Robyn [robyn AT paperieboutique DOT com] thru Tuesday, November 30th.

And heads-up – Purple Daisy Kids is having a 99¢ shipping sale from now through December 26th. Enter the code ship99 at checkout.

39 days ’til Christmas!
-Robyn

P.S. If you’re waiting to hear from me right now, please be patient. There just aren’t enough hours in the day. I’ll get back to you soon! Promise!

cute as a button

Jenny Jacob of HGW Photography just threw her glue gun into the ring and entered our best business packaging / holiday packaging contest (running now through November 30th).

I am in love with these two (regular and holiday) looks – and not just because of the button accent!

Click the images above and below to see larger versions of HGW Photography‘s classic and very-merry looks.

Vendor list to achieve the above holiday look:
1. boxes – HB Photo
2. ribbons – Hobby Lobby
3. homemade paper flowers – paper from my local scrapbook store
4. frame ornament – Hobby Lobby
5. snowflakes accents for flower centers – from my local scrapbook store

Bravo, Jenny! *two snaps in a circle*

If you’d like to enter the contest – the awesome prizes are a $20 gift certificate to Paper Source and a $100 gift certificate to HB Photo Packaging – send in one (or more) photos of your business packaging. It can be your everyday packaging, something special for the holidays, or both!

Happy wrapping! Send photos to Robyn [robyn AT paperieboutique DOT com] thru Tuesday, November 30th.

wrap it up

Busy Monday around here! We have a brand new entry in the best business packaging / holiday packaging contest and a guest post article on “The Savvy, Chic, Eco-Friendly Office” by Michelle Black.

First up are several beautiful packaging photos by Stacey Severt of Wild Hearts Photography.

Want to win $120 in gift cards to Paper Source and HB Photo Packaging?

Get wrapping and send photos to Robyn [robyn AT paperieboutique DOT com]! Submissions last thru Tuesday, November 30th.




The Savvy, Chic, Eco-Friendly Office
by Michelle Black

What’s affordable, and sleek, and GREEN all over? Pretty much everything in this article, and its all perfect for your studio or home office! Check out some of these cool items that you can bring into your workspace, while giving the environment a nice peck on the cheek at the same time. On average, environmentally sound supplies cost only 5% more, a small sacrifice that can help make a big difference.

CUTEST PENCIL CUPS EVER
These adorable Pencil Cups by See Jane Work are covered with 100% post consumer, recycled paper. A great find for keeping pens and pencils and sharpies handy, in a stylish little container! Very affordable, too, priced at just $10. Visit See Jane Work for more colors and patterns.

RECYCLED OFFICE PAPER
Next up we have recycled office paper, offered at your nearest Staples store in bulk. For just $50, you can pick up 5,000 sheets!

SIMPLE OFFICE STORAGE
The Container Store has a beautiful line of Bamboo storage for your everyday needs. Things like filing and organizing drawers couldn’t be more stunning with these simple, coordinated designs. Bamboo is easily renewable so it is an environmentally friendly material that just so happens to look modern, too.

RECYCLED FOLDERS AND ENVELOPES
ReBinder is my absolute FAVORITE site for finding affordable folders, cd/dvd sleeves, binders, presentation folders, and even notebooks…and the best part is, they’re all made of recycled material. Seriously, they’re the best deal you’re going to find!

ECO-FRIENDLY OFFICE FURNITURE
Buyenergyefficient.org has a really great variety of styles and suits any budget with desks ranging anywhere from $189 – $1500 depending on what you’re looking for. Here are some of their best designs…

Additional Suggestions…

RECYCLED PAPER CLIPS
Yes, even these exist. You’re really going the extra mile if you can take the time to make sure you’ve got recycled paper clips in your hands at checkout.

NON-TOXIC CLEANING SUPPLIES
Nature Clean, Method, Ecover, Orange TKO, and Pink Solution can help you on your way toward a cleaner work environment, minus the toxins. Baking soda, borax, lemon juice and other simple ingredients are a natural way to clean without the expense of green cleaners. Choose your cleaning agents wisely!

Read more:
http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/green-cleaning-spring-cleaning-460303#ixzz13iUfyf51

Thanks for reading and remember, it only takes a few extra seconds out of your busy life to consciously do something good for planet Earth! Of course you can’t be perfect about it, but making an effort whenever you can will not go unnoticed.

Cheers!

Article by: Michelle Black
Michelle’s blog: Light-Traces.com
Resources for photographers: The Photo Professional




Thanks so much to both Stacey and Michelle!

Have a great week everyone!
-Robyn

(don’t) paint it black

It. Just. Got. Interesting! If you’ve been thinking of entering your packaging photos in our best business packaging / holiday packaging contest, now’s the time to start “doing“.

In addition to a $20 Paper Source gift certificate as a prize – now HB Photo Packaging has also kicked in an additional $100 gift certificate to their store!

Have no idea where to get started? Check this old Paperie entry for inspiration!

Get wrapping and send photos to Robyn [robyn AT paperieboutique DOT com]! Submissions last thru Tuesday, November 30th.

[ And a tip from Robyn: If you have a Michael's near you, go raid their $1 bin. You'll find dozens of holiday-themed goodies to stick, hot glue, or tie on your packaging - some in multi-packs making the cost of a little "spice" less than a gumball! ]




I’ve known Justyna Nielsen of Funky Monkey Photography for years now and I’m so excited to have her here for a guest post on Paperie!

Creating whimsical easels

If black isn’t a part of your branding, why use black easels? Spice things up with your favorite colors or even use special effect such as distressing or crackling. Match up colors to your branding or room décor.

Creative uses:
I used one as a menu holder for my leather-bound price list I keep in my studio. A few other ones hold colorful frames with product descriptions. I also used a few for gifts for my clients when they purchased storyboards. Here are some other creative uses:

1. Price list. Place a price list or brochures in one of these easels for a beautiful display in your studio or at an auction, expo or event. For best results, your price list can be in form of a fabric/leather bound menu or mounted on a sturdy backing. Choosing the correct easel size is important so items don’t fall out or cause the easel to tip over if too big.

2. Collages. Provide your clients the whole package. If you offer styrene or board mounted collages, offer easels for “display ready” option to your clients. Perfect for mantels, desks, shelves, tables. You can look into wholesale easel purchasing and make sure you add the cost to the item price. This is called “value adding” in pricing.

3. Smaller frames fit in easels too. Place a cute 5×7” birth announcement (or a photo) in a matching color frame and display it on an easel. We recommend using a different shade or a complimentary color for the easel. Can make a special product or a gift.

4. Album or press book display. Instead of laying your albums on a table, create a more visible display by placing albums in easels. Especially impressive if your albums open up flat and have seamless spreads. Open it to your favorite panoramic image and place in the easel. Your clients can create different displays each month by opening to a different page.

5. Holder for product shots. Colorful holder for product shots to make an appealing price list.

6. Sign holder. If you participate in any expos or auctions, you can have your logo printed and mounted on a styrene or foam board and then placed in a matching color easel. Ideal for the expo tables. Place any other display items that may fit in them to create more interest.

7. Holiday card display. Choose this standard easel or one of the photo/note holder trees, paint in your chosen color and attach holiday cards.

8. Props. Have a lot of paint left? Sand a kid chair or another wooden prop and use the spray paints to give them a new look. Spray paint an ordinary garden tub or a planting pot to transform it into a new prop. Spray paint cans or small buckets for pen holders.

9. Uniform frames. If you’re like me, you have a collection of empty mismatched frames. Pick 6-7 of your favorite and spray paint them the same color. Perhaps a distressed or crackled antique white for the shabby chic look. You can use 2 colors such as hot pink and black to split amount frames. Hang them up empty on your wall for a creative wall decoration if you feel you can’t fill them with photographs right now. You can also cut corkboard to fit a frame for a creative reminder board or frame a chalkboard for a funky message board.

You will need:
- Metal easel any color
- Spray cans of primer (optional)
- Paint spray cans in desired color
- Cardboard and gloves recommended to keep your area and hands clean

Time:
The paint in spray cans is pretty fast drying but you will need multiple coats for best coverage.

Process:
1. Prepare a metal easel. Easels can be purchased online or in most craft stores (mine are from Michael’s Craft Store). Wipe clean and dry. Place in a well-ventilated space on a cardboard or newspaper. The spray paints will have a big reach so avoid spillage by protecting the area. I sprayed mine outside but I had to watch out for wind blowing any leaves my way.

2. For best coverage, spray the easel with a primer. This step is optional. I made most of mine without the primer.

3. Find your favorite color in spray paint from a local hardware store. I found mine at Home Depot, Menard’s and Ace Hardware. I picked these colors because they fit my logo colors (orange, lime green and purple). The rest were fun shades I found for chairs and other props.

4. Shake the can vigorously before each use. Spray from about 1 foot away in thin coats. Let dry in between multiple coats. For best coverage, avoid getting too close or going over in the same spot multiple times without letting it dry. Once the paint gets pretty thin and starts running, remember to shake the can again. I tend to start with the bottom so I flip the easel upside down. Spray. Wait. Flip on the other side, repeat the process. Inspect from all sides when dry. If you mess up, wait until it dries, sand with fine sand paper and re-paint a larger area.

Versions:
- Use one color (such as turquoise) for under coat and a different
  one (such as green) for the final coat. Wipe off the outer coat
  in a few spots with a dry bristle brush to reveal the under coat.
- Use sand paper to rough up the edges for a distressed look.
- Try a crackle or other special effect paints.

Justyna Nielsen is the owner and photographer of Funky Monkey Photography with a tale. She specializes in baby and children photography in Madison, Wisconsin.

[ Note from Robyn: Easels can also be purchased inexpensively onllne from Display Collections and Easel Moments. ]

Thanks so much for stopping by Justyna! I think I have some painting to do now…

Happy, merry!
-Robyn

P.S. If you are interested in advertising with Paperie Boutique, please contact todd @ this domain. If you are a photographer and are interested in having your packaging featured – or are a vendor and are interested in having your business packaging, marketing ideas, or photography-related products featured – please contact robyn @ this domain to be added to the posting schedule.

let it snow! let it snow! let it snow!

Yesterday we announced a new contest for photos of your best business packaging / holiday packaging. We’ll pick out our favorite three from the photo submissions and put it up to the Paperie readers for a vote. The winner will receive a $20 Paper Source gift certificate.

UPDATE: HB Photo Packaging is also kicking in an additional $100 gift certificate to their store for the winner!

Our first submission is by Shalonda Chaddock of Chubby Cheek Photography. This is her mini-session holiday packaging.

Click the image above to see a larger version of Chubby Cheek Photography‘s adorable holiday sparkle.

Vendor list to achieve the above look:
1. boxes – NPD Box Company
2. ribbon – Hobby Lobby
3. snowflake ornaments – 50% off end of season last year (50¢ for bundle of 6)
4. last name initial ornament – Hobby Lobby

Inside gift bag:
1. CD in metal tin with 4 digi images
2. print release / printer rec bi-fold / handwritten thank you note
3. easel – Easel Moments
4. envelopes

Inside small box:
1. 50 holiday cards

Inside large box:
1. 8×8 woodmount beveled edge print

The bar has been set. Get wrapping and send photos to Robyn [robyn AT paperieboutique DOT com]! Submissions last thru Tuesday, November 30th.

If you’re waiting to hear from me right now, please be patient. Between shooting last week, having a sick kid at home this week, editing photos and filling orders during holiday crunch time, and very tight deadlines for my next column…..well there just aren’t enough hours in the day. I’ll get back to you soon! Promise!

Just over 51 days ’til Christmas! Aaack!
-Robyn

P.S. If you are interested in advertising with Paperie Boutique, please contact todd @ this domain. If you are a photographer and are interested in having your packaging featured – or are a vendor and are interested in having your business packaging, marketing ideas, or photography-related products featured – please contact robyn @ this domain to be added to the posting schedule.